An Unwanted Break

Last week, I was mountain biking on a small mountain near home. To bypass a rough stretch of gravel, I briefly rode alongside on a field. My wheel fell in a hole and my bike stopped. But I kept going, landing on my head. Oops.

After X-rays, CT-Scans and an MRI it seems I have cracked vertebrae in both my neck and back. Neither are displaced and with some luck, it won’t be too serious. I will get scanned again in several weeks and hopefully be cleared to cycle again. My back and neck muscles/ligaments/etc are a painful mess, so I am a touch grouchy. But they should slowly improve.

Hey Will, can only reiterate and reinforce on all the other well-wishes – we two 50 year old blokes from Sydney have managed two quick trips to France in July 2018 & 19 to ride the Pyrenees and Alps, and we utilised all the fantastic information and experiences you provide to the greater audience to make that happen, so get well, get riding and more importantly please keep posting!

Will, sorry to hear about your crash…
Fractured vertebrae in the neck can be tricky and painful, but after reading it’s not deplaced, I’m sure you will recover with the necessary amount of rest!
I’m looking forward to your next (wanted) bike adventure! Your rides and this blog have been a huge inspiration to me since I started cycling.
All the best,
Jonas

Innocuous accidents can have serious consequences – heal fast and heal well. This is the third year in a row we’ve planned a European riding holiday using your site for planning and inspiration, so we’ll salute you with a beer and a hay surf ?

Best wishes to heal strong to my climbing inspiration.
Arrive in the Tarentaise valley tomorrow with a road bike and a mountain bike to emulate some of your rides where the tarmac ends and the real fun begins.
Ever upwards!!

Ouch! I guess it’s amazing it doesn’t happen more often with so many hours and kms on the bike(s)! I know (first-hand) how hard it is to have a “forced break”, but at least one positive thing about it is that you will enjoy even MORE being able to cycle once you’re able to again! 🙂

Hope the recovery is going well, Will. It must be frustrating not being able to get out – Years ago I was off the bike for almost six months with a broken ankle and it drove me mad. The site, as always, has been a great inspiration. Keep up the good work and hope you’re back on two wheels soon!

Hi Will,
Sorry to read about your accident. I hope you will be on the bike again very soon.
Just taking the opportunity to thank you as your website made a big difference for my two first trips cycling in the Alps.
On the first one and after having read your description, we tried the Col de Sartenne that none of us had heard of. What a beauty! On the second trip, 2 days ago, we decided to follow your advice and to go by car to the top of col du Lautaret to do Galibier / Télégraphe / Galibier. Amazing!
thanks again and hope to read your new adventure soon.

Get well soon Will… the website and climb reports are fantastic and though this break is unwanted I’m sure it will give you time to reflect and plan for the future. Chapeau for all your efforts to date and for those to which we will be treated in the future!

I just moved to Sion in the Valais and discovered this website a couple of weeks ago. Your website is a TOTALLY AMAZING source of information and inspiration.

So far I have ridden the Sanetsch Pass (totally amazing) and also Lac Cleuson (so beautiful). On the latter I was able to avoid most of the busy road on an alternate set of very steep paved roads. I also avoided the paved road to Siviez on a very smooth gravel road just above it. Continuing past the lake to the Cabane was also totally worth it. Adds 300 metres of climbing to the cabane. Road peters out above the cabin at 2560 metres.

Hoping to get a few more big climbs in before the snows are too thick.